As you're driving through the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/azc-envisions-a-giant-inflatable-trampoline-bridge-for-paris/">suburbs of Paris</a>, you turn a corner and suddenly see a giant yellow giraffe ahead of you. After checking your coffee to see what extra goodies your barista put in it, it might occur to you that <a href="http://inhabitat.com/oeufs-adorable-animal-hats-show-us-where-the-wild-things-are/">wild animals</a> don't belong in Boulogne-Billancourt. But it will also make your day - and that's the idea behind <a href="http://www.hondelatte-laporte.com">Hondelatte Laporte Architectes</a>' Giraffe Childcare Center. Both a childcare center and a nursery with animal sculptures that liven the place up, the curious building adjacent to Jean Nouvel's Horizons Tower was recently awarded the green <a href="http://www.effinergie.org">Zéro Energie Effinergie</a> label.

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

This extraordinary childcare center is in France

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

The giraffe is visible from all angles

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

The Giraffe Childcare Center is also a nursery

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

The building was awarded the country's net zero energy label

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

The animal sculptures are designed to animate the children's imagination

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

One has to walk through the legs to get inside

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

A smattering of green gives the space a healthy aesthetic as well

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

Net zero means the home generates more energy than it can use

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

It's amazing how well the giraffe is integrated into the structure

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

There's also a polar bear!

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

The bear appears to be clambering up steps

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

The interior is bright and colorful

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

Finally, a family of ladybugs is crawling up a wall

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Giraffe Childcare Center by Hondelatte Laporte Architectes

As you're driving through the suburbs of Paris, you turn a corner and suddenly see a giant yellow giraffe ahead of you. After checking your coffee to see what extra goodies your barista put in it, it might occur to you that wild animals don't belong in Boulogne-Billancourt. But it will also make your day - and that's the idea behind Hondelatte Laporte Architectes' Giraffe Childcare Center. Both a childcare center and a nursery with animal sculptures that liven the place up, the curious building adjacent to Jean Nouvel's Horizons Tower was recently awarded the green Zéro Energie Effinergie label.